Stop signNew Zealand

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of New Zealand. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


12. Stop sign

A stop sign requires drivers to bring their vehicle to a complete stop and give way before entering or crossing the road ahead. The stop must be made at the stop line or another legally prescribed position.

After stopping, the driver may continue only when this can be done safely and without interfering with traffic that has priority. The sign does not create priority for the driver who has stopped.

Stop sign
Stop sign with STOP road markings at an intersection on College Hill. (Auckland, New Zealand)
Wikimedia.org • LincolnGroup11 • CC BY-SA
Must I stop completely at a stop sign in New Zealand?

Yes. Come to a complete stop when the applicable stop sign controls your approach, even when you cannot see another road user. Slowing to a crawl is not a stop. The stopping duty is separate from the duty to give way before continuing.

🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — stop-sign

Where must I stop at a stop-controlled junction in New Zealand?

Stop before the limit line. Without a limit line, stop where you can see traffic on the road you are joining, while remaining clear of its traffic and complying with the Road Code.

🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — stop-sign

Does stopping first give me priority at a stop sign in New Zealand?

A complete stop does not, by itself, give you priority. Give way to the road users entitled to pass under the junction’s signs and rules, check pedestrians and cyclists, and proceed only when the gap is safe. Do not follow another stopped vehicle through without satisfying your own stopping and yielding duties.

🔗 nzta.govt.nz • New Zealand, NZTA official Road Code — stop-sign

1 New Zealand 2 Motorway 3 Speed limit 4 Advisory speed 5 Bike path 6 Pedestrian warning 7 Bridge 8 Speed bump 9 One-way traffic 10 Slope 11 Bus lane 12 Stop sign 13 Give way 14 Roundabout 15 Road narrowing 16 Pedestrian crossing 17 Railway crossing 18 Mandatory direction 19 Turn prohibition 20 School area 21 Crossing animals 22 Slippery road 23 Curve 24 Chevron 25 Wrong-way driving 26 Roadworks 27 Crosswind 28 Height limit 29 Priority at the next junction 30 Traffic lights 31 Pedestrian lights 32 Road markings 33 Parking 34 Disabled parking 35 Reversing 36 U-turn 37 Tourist attraction 38 Charging station 39 Dangers 40 Cyclist 41 Bus 42 Police 43 Ambulance 44 Pothole 45 Path 46 Particulates 47 Air pollution 48 Rush hour 49 Road code 50 Two-way traffic 51 Street gutter 52 Cargo bike 53 Forestry vehicle 54 Construction vehicle 55 Semi-trailer truck 56 Trolleybus 57 Speed pedelec 58 Delivery vehicle 59 Idling 60 Tow truck 61 Four-wheel drive 62 Bicycle 63 Motorcycle equipment 64 Tram 65 Rail track 66 Caravan 67 Trailer 68 Tow hitch 69 Fire truck 70 Siren 71 Convoy 72 Emergency vehicle lighting 73 Agricultural machinery 74 Electric bicycle 75 Electric vehicle 76 Pedelec 77 Quadricycle 78 Microcar 79 All-terrain vehicle 80 Van 81 Recreational vehicle 82 Scooter 83 Trikke 84 Personal mobility device 85 Skateboard 86 Segway 87 Kick scooter 88 Roller skates 89 Mailman 90 Hitchhiker 91 Toddler 92 Child 93 Disability 94 Motorail 95 km/h 96 mph 97 Speedometer 98 Ride height 99 Dirt road 100 Driving ...